THE LAND QUESTION

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10041, 11 May 1910, Page 6

THE LAND QUESTION

To the Editor. | Sir, —With [regard to the set lenient of land, Sir J. G. Ward in his; policy speech refers with some meas ure of pride to the sucessful settlement of the land for this year. In his j speech he mentions three particular blocks as an example of the splendid results undar his administration for the year. The following ar-i the blocks alluded to:—Hawke's Bay, ot e j block comprising 60 farms, for which there were 900 applicants. Tripp and J Fyve Settlement, Canterbury, 29 j farms, 384 applicants. Ermdale Set- | tlement, Southland, 32 farms, 60 j applicants. This statement proves that the settlement of land is deplorably behind what it ought to be. On the three blocks mentioned, there were 121 fortunate applicants, whila 1,128 intending settlers left the ballot disappointed. Surely this utate of affairs proves conclusively that our land administration is far from being what it should be, and it will require much stronger proof from Sir J. G. Ward to convince tha people that he has done all that should or could be done in the closer settlement of cur waste and unproductive lands. —I am, etc., SETTLER.